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Editor's Note: This article was originally published in November 2025 to analyze the draft batch of priority control chemicals, and was updated on 31 December 2025 to introduce the finalized version.
On December 29, 2025, China MEE announced the adoption of the Catalogue of Priority Control Chemicals (3rd Batch). 23 groups of high-risk chemicals are now designated as priority control chemicals (numbered PC041 ~ PC063). Key substances for inclusion are:
Bisphenols: Bisphenol A (BPA).
Phthalates: Several phthalates include Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), and Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP).
PFAS: Specifically covering long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs), their salts and related compounds, as well as other specific PFAS substances.
Chlorinated compounds: 1,4-Dichlorobenzene, 1,2-Dichloroethane, and 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane.
The production and use of these 23 groups of chemicals are prevalent in industries such as petrochemicals, plastics, rubber, pharmaceuticals, textiles, dyes, coatings, pesticides, leather, and electroplating. Facilities handling these chemical substances will face stricter regulatory oversight under existing environmental control measures.
The new batch of priority control chemicals can be accessed here.
Compliance implications
The MEE outlines three primary management requirements for substances on the Catalogue of Priority Control Chemicals:
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Per the “Opinions on Strengthening EIA for New Pollutants in Key Industries”, new construction projects must explicitly disclose the quantity, variety, and usage of these chemicals. EIAs must analyze the migration and transformation of these pollutants and include them as factors in emission calculations.
Pollutant Discharge Permitting: In accordance with “HJ942-2018 Technical specification for application and issuance of pollutant permit general programme”, enterprises must declare the presence of these chemicals and their percentage in raw and auxiliary materials when applying for or renewing discharge permits.
Soil and Groundwater Protection: Under the “Administrative Measures for Soil Environment Management of Industrial and Mining Land”, key units must install anti-corrosion and leak detection systems for facilities storing or producing these chemicals. Furthermore, companies must file a pollution prevention plan with local authorities at least 15 working days prior to dismantling any facilities involving these substances.
Previous article issued on November 24, 2025:
China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE), in collaboration with the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, officially released the “Catalogue of Priority Control Chemicals (3rd Batch) (Draft)” on November 21, 2025. The authorities are actively soliciting public feedback on the proposed addition of 24 groups of chemical substances to the national priority control regime. Industry stakeholders and the public are invited to submit comments before the deadline of December 2, 2025.
The compilation of the Catalogue of Priority Control Chemicals is a key task under China’s Action Plan for New Pollutant Treatment, which mandates the dynamic identification and governance of high-risk chemicals. The designation of priority control chemicals focused on substances that pose significant risks to the environment and human health. Chemicals possessing characteristics of persistence, bioaccumulation, and high toxicity—specifically those with carcinogenic, mutagenic, reproductive toxicity, or endocrine-disrupting properties will be given priority. The designation also considered environmental exposure potential based on domestic production, usage volume, and detection frequency in the environment. So far, China has issued two batches of forty priority control chemicals. This time, the authorities propose to designate 24 groups of chemical substances as the third batch. Specific CAS numbers can be accessed here.
